Irina Akimova was born in Russia. She graduated from the Moscow State University with a degree in Mathematics and Theoretical Mechanics. Though Akimova always enjoyed drawing and painting, for a long time it was just a hobby to her. Akimova moved with her family to the US in the summer of 2001. Having been raised on the Volga plains and having lived in the metropolis of Moscow, Akimova suddenly found herself in a totally different place - the mountains of the blue Ridge and she loved it.

Here, Akimova started painting more and more. Partly as a way of working through the cultural differences that come with moving to a new country. In 2003 she joined a local artist association. Since then, Akimova has participated in several group shows, held two solo exhibitions, and been accepted into several juried exhibits. The artist finds her inspiration in the atmosphere of Blacksburg, in its architecture, and in the views of the surrounding mountains.

The artist currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and children.